The most inspiring women in Wales have been recognised in a series of awards.

More than 300 people came together at an awards ceremony in Cardiff to celebrate the professional and personal achievements of women across Wales.

Women from a wide range of backgrounds were honoured for their commitment and performance across 13 different categories, including the media, community, sport and education.

The individual winners

Personal Achievement

The Personal Achievement award was created to recognise individuals who have faced and overcome challenges, such as domestic abuse, loss of a child to a disability and have consequently created positive outcomes.

After much debate, the judges reached the conclusion that none of the finalists’ experiences or achievements could be seen as greater or lesser than the others, and therefore presented all of the finalists with awards.

Rhian Burke – founder of 2 Wish Upon A Star following the death of her husband and child

Devoted mum Rhian Burke suffered the unimaginable heartache of losing her baby son and husband in two separate tragedies, just five days apart.

Rhian was still reeling from the death of her 12-month-old son George, who suffered an unexpected fit, when her grief-stricken husband Paul plunged to his death from a motorway bridge in February 2012.

Following their deaths she set up a charity called 2 Wish Upon A Star which aims to improve bereavement services at hospitals throughout Wales.

Bosses at the airline were supportive and the overwhelming response from her colleagues was positive.

As well as continuing her flying she now also visits schools to encourage girls to take up STEM subjects, and works for five charities in the field of equalities and anti-bullying.

Sarah Lawrence - signer and translator

Sarah Lawrence is an expert translator from English to British sign language. She is deaf herself and signed for ITV News for 10 years before setting up her business, Dead Friendly Business Solutions, which delivers training, advice and consultancy services to organisations.

She is one of only six people to have completed the notoriously difficult 350-mile non-stop footrace, the 6633 Ultra in the Arctic, and is one of only 80 people in the world to have dived the wreck of the Titanic.

This award celebrated the most successful women in the Welsh media, with finalists including Lowri Morgan, Mariclare Carey-Jones and Emily Hogan Turner.

Lesley Long is founder and director of women’s enterprise organisation Wild Woman which mentors and trains women in mid-Wales to achieve success in their personal and working lives.

She said: “What we’ve done is something quite pioneering in Mid Wales. In just 14 months we’ve managed to set up an enterprise and hub, and we’ve been really successful so far. I am delighted to have been presented with this award."

The Women In a Rural Community category celebrated those who have made significant contributions to Welsh culture, identity and the local economy.

Pioneer in STEM, sponsored by University of South Wales

Dr Kelly BeruBe wins Pioneer in STEM

Dr Kelly BéruBé - scientist

Dr Kelly BéruBé is the director in Lung and Particle Research Group at the School of Biosciences at Cardiff University. She has been recognised internationally for her achievements in scientific research, particularly on air pollution and human health, and is a prolific science writer and popular speaker.

Dr BéruBé said she was “thrilled and honoured” to receive the award for her dedication to STEM subjects.

The Pioneer Award celebrated women who have contributed to workplaces and careers in the science, technology, engineering and maths sectors (STEM). While there are a number of impressive women in Wales working in these areas, statistics show that the Welsh economy is still failing to recruit, retain and promote women in the same numbers as men.

Joyce Watson's work includes successfully campaigning for an anti-trafficking co-ordinator for Wales, helping Wales lead the way in targeting modern slavery.

She also leads the Not in my Name campaign with the WI, recruiting male ambassadors to confront attitudes around violence against women.

Leanne Wood in 2008

Leanne Wood – leader of Plaid Cymru

Leanne Wood is currently campaigning hard to win her party extra seats in the National Assembly election in May.

She broke the mould when elected to the party leadership not only for being the party's first women leader but also unusually not being a Welsh speaker.

Sarah Rees – director at Career Women Wales and member of the Women’s Equality Network Wales

Sarah Rees started at the Women's Equality Network when she was 32.

The organisation is a prominent campaigner for women's rights and equality.

Sara Jones – Welsh Conservative Party councillor for Monmouthshire

The Women in Public Life category rewarded the contributions women have made to Wales’ public institutions and bodies. Similar to the Personal Achievement Award, judges were unable to come to a definitive conclusion for this category and therefore congratulated all nominees for their dedication to helping women achieve and prosper in Wales.

Woman in Education, sponsored by NPTC Group

Professor Karen Holford

Professor Karen Holford is the pro vice-chancellor for physical sciences and engineering at Cardiff University. She has worked in academia for 25 years.

Although women account for the majority of the education sector workforce, they remain under-represented in leadership roles. This category celebrated women and initiatives that are currently trying to promote gender equality.

Kate Griffiths won the Rising Star category for representing young women in the engineering profession. She said she was “speechless” upon winning the award.

The Rising Star category recognised women who are relatively new to their workplace however have already achieved exceptional progress and are ‘ones to watch’ moving forward.

Woman in Enterprise, sponsored by CMI Wales

Anna Bastek - entrepreneur

Anna Bastek is co-founder of Swansea-based translation company, Wolfestone, one of the fastest growing businesses in Wales. The organisation employs over 8,000 translators worldwide. She said her success is down to her ability to marry creativity with the drive to get ideas off the ground.

The Woman in Enterprise award celebrated women who have set up their own highly successful business, which is making a significant impact in Wales and beyond.

Sian Cushion has worked to lead and develop a coaching culture at the university. She said that winning the award was one of the proudest moments of her career.

This award recognised women over the last year who have made a large impact improving the lives of others around them.

Employers' awards

The awards also recognised women who had made a particular impact on the lives of women in Wales.

Employer of the year (private sector) sponsored by Principality

Rachel Bedgood of Complete Background Screening

Complete Background Screening, based in Pontypridd

Background check company Complete Background Screening was presented with the award for the organisation’s commitment to creating rewarding employment opportunities and for making the most of their female talent pool.

Rachel Bedgood, director and founder of Complete Background Screening, said she was “lost for words” and “genuinely thrilled” to have won.

Employer of the Year (public sector), sponsored by Highgrade Recruitment

Bangor University

Lyn Meadows, director of Human Resources at Bangor University said: “We’re delighted to win Employer of the Year, as we’ve worked hard at the University to review women’s development across our activities, from the promotion of senior staff through to providing encouragement to girls to study science, technology, engineering, medicine and mathematics, or STEMM subjects.

Employer of the Year (Third Sector), sponsored by NPT Homes

Ethnic Youth Support Team

The Ethnic Youth Support Team aims to fill a gap in the provision of holistic and culturally sensitive support services for ethnic minority young people in the Swansea area. The organisation promotes diversity and delivers training and consultancy to a wide range of organisations, individuals and young people.

First such awards by Chwarae Teg

The first Womenspire Awards was held at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and was attended by both individuals and organisations.

The high-profile event was organised by Chwarae Teg, a charity that is internationally recognised for leading the way in supporting women in the workplace to reach their full potential.

Joy Kent, CEO of Chwarae Teg, said: “The Womenspire Awards was the first ceremony we’ve hosted and we want it to become a key date in the calendar moving forward.

“As a Welsh charity, our vision is a Wales where women achieve and prosper. Often, the work which women and organisations are doing on a daily basis goes unrecognised, however we feel it’s important to change this and share with others the inspirational journeys that women have been on and celebrate their amazing achievements as a result."